Flip N' Read

August 2018

Nuun: Hydration Time

Wellness

Written byKatherine Charters

Hydration is a huge part of maintaining peak athletic performance and healthy body function, but water alone cannot replenish the nutrients lost from a hard workout. Seattle-based hydration experts have invented an electrolyte-enhanced drink tablet that turns water into a clean sports drink—almost sugar-free, gluten-free and Olympian endorsed. Reflections spoke with a nuun representative, Becky Lynn, to understand more about hydration and healthy sports drinks.

Reflections magazine: How does nuun increase athletic performance and health?

Becky Lynn: Dehydration not only leads to decreased performance but also causes muscle cramping, headaches, nausea and fatigue. nuun has revolutionized the sports drink by beginning with healthy hydration. The electrolyte-enhanced drink tab is gluten-, dairy- and soy-free and made from plant-based ingredients. Each tablet contains a complete, optimal blend of electrolytes that helps alleviate cramps, and helps muscles function, communicate and burn energy efficiently. nuun’s key electrolytes include sodium, aiding in fluid retention; potassium, aiding in fluid balance; magnesium, aiding in muscle function and relaxation; and calcium, aiding in bone health and muscle contraction.

RM: How is nuun more beneficial for health and athletic performance than drinking plain water?

BL: Water is very important to help lubricate and cushion tissues, organs and joints. Consuming an adequate amount of water throughout the day can help increase energy, and delay the onset of fatigue. It can keep your skin and hair healthy, and it can help digest and absorb food faster. nuun plays a role in making the most of your water. nuun helps by increasing the speed of absorption of fluids and nutrients into your body by using a combination of effervescent technology and non-GMO-sourced dextrose. nuun also helps prevent the serious condition of hyponatremia, in which sodium levels in the blood are significantly decreased. This incidence can occur when an athlete consumes too much plain water. When overhydrating with plain water, you can flush out critical electrolyte stores that are needed for working muscles and normal body function. To avoid this situation, consume an electrolyte-rich drink, like nuun, while exercising.

RM: When should nuun be consumed?

BL: nuun is designed to give you the right balance of electrolytes to water. For the majority of athletic endeavors, you do not need a sports drink with a lot of sugar. The nuun products Active and Energy can be used before, during and after exercise. During athletic activities lasting longer than an hour, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends consuming 500 to 700 milligrams of sodium (or two bottles of nuun) for every 32 ounces of water consumed. nuun All Day can be used throughout the day for healthy hydration and added vitamins and minerals. We encourage you to get out and be active. To determine how much nuun you should drink to keep you properly hydrated depends on how much you exercise, how much you sweat, the weather and so on. As with any product, we recommend consulting your nutritionist or health-care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

RM: What sports and activities benefit most from nuun?

BL: nuun is perfectly designed for the on-the-go lifestyle, keeping you hydrated for all levels of activities whether you are running a marathon or a marathon of errands. nuun is great for kids, adults, the elderly, diabetics and everyone in between.

RM: What is the biggest misconception surrounding nuun?

BL: That the products are similar to Gatorade. nuun is a sports drink manufacturer, but we are committed to healthy, clean hydration without the excess sugars. Minimizing the impact on the environment is also important to nuun. The product will always be sold in multiuse packaging, encouraging everyone to drink out of reusable bottles. We believe it is irresponsible and unnecessary to ship bottled beverages in nonrenewable plastic containers.

RM: Why choose Seattle as nuun headquarters?

BL: nuun was created in Hanover, New Hampshire, at Dartmouth, and the founder moved to Seattle shortly thereafter. It is an ideal home for the brand and its culture. Seattle is a hub for the healthy, active lifestyle surrounded by an abundance of outdoor activities.

RM: Where did the name “nuun” come from?

BL: nuun, pronounced “noon” is an abbreviation of “nutrition uncompromised,” a nod to the philosophy of creating a minimally processed alternative to sugary sports drinks. nuun has heard a lot of funny stories about what the name means: the founder’s dog’s name, the best time of day to hydrate (noon), and the Sanskrit word for sodium (a key electrolyte).